5% of consumers purchasing garden
and patio accessories bought one or more gazing balls.

83% bought only one gazing ball.

1/2 of households planned their
purchase.

47% paid less than $20.

1/3 paid between $20 and $30
for their gazing ball.

39% bought their gazing ball
at Wal-Mart.

35% bought their gazing ball
at either Home Depot or Lowe's.

3rd most frequently purchased
patio or garden accessory bought as a gift, coming in behind wind chimes
and plaques.

--Consumer
Buying Trends Survey

Bringing the Indoors Out

Michelle Lamb, an international
trend analyst, believes the appeal of outdoor rooms is not limited to
those people who have large decorating budgets. Not too many years ago,
she says, high-end decorative outdoor lighting was launched by Frederick
Cooper, a Chicago-based manufacturer of top-quality artistic lamps, sconces
and chandeliers. Today, similar lighting is being sold in discount department
stores such as Target. "The bottom line is, it's not only a trend
for some, it's for everybody," she says, and advances in solar lights
have made illumination "an integral part of decorating outside."
Also, since the advent of all-weather wicker, outdoor furniture "looks
incredible, with wonderful shading and visual texture," Lamb says,
"and excellent fabrics available for cushions."

A basic outdoor room including
a quality grill, dining furniture, lighting and umbrellas can be had for
about $2,500, says Donna Myers, spokeswoman for the Hearth, Patio and
Barbecue Association in Arlington, Va. If money is no object, costs can
easily reach $50,000 with an in-ground pool, island grill and landscaping.
Lamb says she finds that, in essence, "the trend of a few years ago
toward bringing the outdoors in has reversed itself to bringing the indoors
out."

Bringing the Outdoors In

Terrariums : Another 70's flashback
- As many trends do, the hobby is making a comeback. Kelly Austin, curator
of Cedar Crest College's arboretum and a professor at Northampton Community
College in Bethlehem Township, Pa., says she sees articles on terrariums
and the like popping up in gardening catalogs.

The outdoor living market, including
outdoor living products and services, reached $62.5 billion in 2004, rising
from $60.1 billion in 2003. Retail sales of plant materials accounted
for $19.6 billion or 31 percent of the total market in 2004.

Growth categories are expected
be the tools, equipment, supplies and accessories that enhance the outdoor
living lifestyle experience.